Project Bread Grants $21,720 to Central Massachusetts for Summer Food Programs

More than $160,000 will enrich summer meals programs across Massachusetts 

(July 2, 2013 – Boston) For children in families that struggle to put food on the table, finding a meal during the summer can be a challenge. That’s why Project Bread is awarding more than $160,000 to 425 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) locations in 37 communities, including seven programs in Central Massachusetts.

This summer, more than 50,000 students will enjoy a healthy breakfast, lunch, snack, or dinner at one of nearly 900 summer meal sites in schools, parks, public pools, neighborhood centers, and other program locations across the state. The seven awards to Central Massachusetts total $21,720 to programs in Fitchburg, Leominster, Framingham, and Gardner.

From September to June, school meals—breakfast and lunch—provide children with a consistent and reliable protection against hunger. In the summer months, these children need another source of food in order to remain healthy and return to school in the fall ready to learn. All meals are free to children and youth 18 years and under, no registration or sign-up necessary.

Project Bread works with community partners and state policy makers to boost, strengthen, and expand the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), a federally supported child nutrition program, which was specifically designed to bridge the summer gap in school meals.

According to Ellen Parker, executive director of Project Bread, “The best summer meals programs lead with great activities that attract children. Children want to attend summer meals programs that are fun and offer them dignity. If a meals program has the feel of a charity handout, it’s not building the healthy self-esteem that children need to thrive and succeed.”

In addition to fun activities, Fitchburg Public Schools holds weekly nutrition education sessions. Each week, the Fitchburg Nutrition Services’ Registered Dietician features a special food item for sampling, and the following week the item will appear on the lunch menu.

Jill Lucius, General Manager of School Services, explains how the grant money will help their summer food program, “The grant money that Fitchburg received from Project Bread will allow us to continue to educate our students on healthy eating and provide structured physical activity. During the summer many of our students lose the exposure to healthy foods and nutrition education, and by providing weekly nutrition classes at feeding sites, we continue to move our students toward living a healthier lifestyle.”

Most sites will be open by July 1 and all generally run until mid August. Parents, guardians, and teens can get exact dates and a complete list of programs in Central Massachusetts by calling Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333 or by going to www.projectbread.org/summermeals. Through Project Bread’s Text 4 Food campaign, students can also be directed to a free meal at the nearest open Summer Food Service Program by texting 617‐863‐6325.

About Project Bread

Project Bread is the only statewide antihunger organization committed to providing people of all ages, cultures, and walks of life with sustainable, reliable access to nutritious food. From community-based meal programs, to early childhood and school nutrition initiatives, to improved access to farm-to-table resources, Project Bread approaches hunger as a complex problem with multiple solutions. With funds raised through The Walk for Hunger, the oldest continual pledge walk in the country, and other sources, Project Bread pioneers innovative initiatives and supports effective programs to eradicate hunger in our state. For more information, visit www.projectbread.org, www.facebook.com/projectbread, or www.twitter.com/walkforhunger.